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Bitcoin’s performance over the past month or so has been quite remarkable. After languishing in the doldrums around the low $3,000 mark, we are now on the verge of seeing a return of the Vegeta memes as we near $9,000.
Most traders who voice their opinions on Twitter are awash with bullish sentiment. As are most people in the space, in fact.
However, Tone Vays has stuck to his guns in saying that he expects a severe pullback. Many have ridiculed him on this issue, especially as the market continues to climb higher. After speaking to Tone in Malta, we discussed how he expected the bear market to crush altcoins much more than they had been.
Whilst many altcoins have suffered in the bearish market, they are still at much greater highs than they ever saw in 2016. Retail investors who flooded money into altcoins have either been left bagholding or taking significant losses.
What has caused the recent price movement?
Whenever Bitcoin rises in price, commentators are quick to guess what the underlying reasons are. The last time Bitcoin saw its current price, there was a massive wave of interest from the retail market. Mainstream news outlets were writing articles and everyone was talking about it.
— Nik (@cointradernik) May 28, 2019
As you can see from the chart above though, the interest from retail investors appears to be very small this time around. For the most part, Bitcoin’s recent upward move has gone under the radar outside of the crypto community.
Other factors that have been suggested are the troubling geopolitical economic worries. The current China and US trade war shows no sign of slowing down and has been cited as one reason for increased interest in Bitcoin. Another is the Brexit chaos taking hold of the United Kingdom right now.
The idea that such incidents could effect Bitcoin shouldn’t be dismissed immediately. The Cypriot financial crisis during 2012 and 2013 gave Bitcoin a shot in the arm as people saw it as an alternative to banks.
Questions can be raised as to whether the cryptocurrency market has matured during the bear market. Whilst ICOs have faded into obscurity, they have been replaced now with IEOs instead. A top cybersecurity expert in Malta stated that he viewed the vast majority of ICOs as useful money laundering tools.
Since cryptocurrency exchanges have lost a large amount of income from listing fees, IEOs are another way to boost their profits. It seems unlikely that the SEC will look upon IEOs more favourably than ICOs though.
Progress has also been made with the scaling of Bitcoin with the Lightning Network. Is the network ready for an increase of activity on a scale not seen before? Is the Lightning Network in a state for technophobes to use? Both of these questions will not be answered until we see retail investors return to the cryptosphere.
The majority of people in the cryptocurrency industry have once more turned bullish on the price of Bitcoin. This won’t necessarily mean that more price movement upwards will be easy, as there could still be many significant pullbacks.
The most interesting time will be when the mainstream media once more picks up on the price movement and retail investors come back to flood the market.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author should not be considered as financial advice. We do not give advice on financial products.


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Cebu Pacific CEO advisor Garry Kingshott, speaking at CAPA's LCCs & New Age Airlines in North Asia Conference in Macau, stated (06-Sep-2012) he expects the launch of three low-cost carriers in Japan this year will help build awareness of the LCC model in Japan, which will benefit all LCCs operating in the country including Cebu Pacific. Mr Kingshott said it has taken time for the Japanese market to get accustomed to Cebu Pacific's service since it launched flights to Japan in 2010. He says Cebu Pacific's only Japanese route, Manila-Osaka Kansai, is now performing well, but there continue to be "issues" with passengers becoming accustomed to the LCC model. The launch of Peach, Jetstar Japan and AirAsia Japan in recent months should help build awareness of the LCC model in Japan and in particular get Japanese passengers used to the concept of online ticket bookings. "We are delighted to have LCCs in Japan established," Mr Kingshott said, noting, "It will be nice to have some support from local LCCs." Cebu Pacific is interested in expanding its Japanese network but Japanese authorities currently prohibit all Philippine carriers from adding capacity to Japan due to ICAO-related restrictions.
Cebu Pacific welcomes launch of Japanese LCCs: CEO advisor
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Cebu Pacific Air reconsiders Melbourne under Tigerair Australia partnership as Sydney route improves
Cebu Pacific Air is again looking at expanding in the Australia market by launching flights to Melbourne. Efforts in recent months to improve Cebu Pacific’s performance in Sydney, which was launched in 2014, are bearing fruit and the airline is confident with Melbourne it can stimulate further demand in the Philippines-Australia market.
The LCC initially added Melbourne to its network plan in 2015 after the Philippines and Australia forged an extended air services agreement. But Cebu Pacific subsequently decided to shelve plans to launch Melbourne, and has instead been using additional A330 capacity to expand in its domestic and regional international market.
Melbourne is now back on the agenda and is the next priority – leapfrogging Honolulu – for Cebu Pacific’s long haul operation. A new partnership with Melbourne-based Tigerair Australia is a key driver in making Manila-Melbourne a viable route, along with the anticipated rapid growth in Australian visitor numbers to the Philippines.
HK Express receives first A321 and awaits A320neo as Hong Kong's LCC rate grows to 10 percent
HK Express continues to work towards its goal of ending 2018 with 50 aircraft. HK Express will end 2016 with 18 aircraft, including its first A321s and A320neo. The A321s provide additional capacity per movement – important to bring costs down, but also to grow where traffic and slots (at Hong Kong and abroad) do not permit.
Asian LCCs are increasingly gravitating to larger aircraft to try to overcome insufficient infrastructure. Larger narrowbodies at LCCs gained wide awareness with AirAsia's A321 order, although many other LCCs will operate larger types before AirAsia receives its first A321. The A320neo brings additional range, besides the usual efficiency improvements.
HK Express plans to end 2017 with 32 aircraft. Even if sustainable markets can be found, this is rapid growth for an opaque slot system at Hong Kong International Airport. HK Express' continued growth will further boost the share of seats that LCCs operate at Hong Kong. LCCs account for 10% of capacity at Hong Kong in 2016 – up from 5% in 2012. The gains have mostly been earned due to HK Express. With as much success as HK Express claims, it might now be time for the LCC to open its books and present transparent financial reports.

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Bryce Baker co-founded the brewery in 2015 with two others who first began as home brewers, dreaming of one day opening their own brewery.
But as coronavirus regulations shuttered taprooms across the state, 11 Below Brewing had to rethink its celebration, Baker said.
“We had all these plans to have a fifth anniversary bash, and our bash was basically in drive-thru format of people driving and getting specialty anniversary beers and specialty glassware," he said. "So it was kind of weird way to celebrate, but we still got to ... do it.”
In the short term, coronavirus has forced breweries to shift their business models and revamp their to-go options. Still, breweries in the Greater Houston area—and across the state—have been hit hard.
A recent survey in late March from the Brewers Association, a nationwide nonprofit trade group benefiting craft beer producers, found 98.9% of breweries across the U.S. have had their businesses affected by the outbreak of the coronavirus. Respondents reported an average loss of 58.9% of revenue, according to the survey. One quarter of brewers said they have stopped production altogether.
"We do anticipate a number of closures unfortunately coming soon," said Charles Vallhonrat, executive director of the Texas Craft Brewers Guild, a statewide craft brewery advocacy group.
The Guild has sent a petition with 15,000 signatures to Gov. Greg Abbott, urging the state to temporarily relax laws prohibiting breweries from delivering beer, shipping beer across Texas and other states and other measures pertaining to taxes. As of April 22, Vallhonrat said he has not received an official response from the governor's office.
Socially distanced drinks
Some brewery owners are brewing new, smaller batches of beer while waiting for restrictions to lift. Justin Gyorfi, co-owner of Humble-based Ingenious Brewing Company, said he is brewing new heavily fruited beers and bringing back some barrel-aged brews to sell in 32-ounce crowlers and four-packs.
"We've kind of halted production from big batches [and going] back to how we really started when we were first opening," Gyorfi said. "They're real small, constantly changing batches to keep it exciting, to try to encourage someone to maybe come a couple of times instead of just once."
Others are also finding ways to deliver beer and a sense of community because, as Casey Motes, co-founder of Eureka Heights Brewery in Houston, put it: “Beer is about getting together with friends."
The brewery is offering Facebook live trivia, encouraging participants to sip and play.
Brew:30 Taphouse in Cypress is also replacing its Thursday-night brewery-hosted game nights with online versions, co-founder Tiffany Richie said. The taphouse, which does not operate as a brewery, has had to shift from having 100% of its sales on premise to about 80% on, 20% off.
Baker said canning has ramped up, but it has been difficult acquiring the necessary supplies in a timely manner.
"We’re depleting our cans a lot faster than we normally would," he said. "We’ve been on the phone with places all over the country trying to source cans and get labels expedited to try to keep up with demand."
Vallhonrat said in the short term, the industry has had to make some rapid changes to adapt.
"We have seen people that typically didn’t package beer ... are looking at their options or have quickly added things like they are bottling beer by hand or working a mobile canner to get beer canned," he said.
In the long run, it is difficult to predict what changes will stick around, he said.
"The tap room-focused model has been a very successful model for Texas breweries over the last few years. ... I still think that tap room focus is going to be predominant," he said.
However, Vallhonrat said he believes all breweries will be closely examining their business models and possibly looking for ways to diversify, even once coronavirus restrictions are lifted. Baker, for example, said he may continue operating a drive-thru so customers can pick up beer.
Looking ahead, the next issue to tackle will be looking at some form of payment or tax relief for the barrels of beer they have to dump—beer that has been sitting in kegs for months, Baker said.
"There's going to be an awful lot of beer out in the world that’s past its prime and not real good. It's going to be a matter of how does all that get handled," he said.


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New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against a group of scammers accused of stealing $100,000 dollars from Brooklyn Heights icon Sahadi’s. The suit alleges that scammers were intentionally pretending to be the 128-year-old institution by seeking funds from Sahadi’s clients under an eerily similar name while also setting up phony tax IDs and bank accounts as a way to divert funds, according to Crain’s New York Business. “It’s easy; that’s what scares me,” Pat Whelan, managing director of Sahadi’s told the publication, adding that they’ve been able to recover most of the money. Sahadi’s, which was named a historic site by the state earlier this year, is known for providing Middle Eastern pantry staples since 1895 and moved to its current location in 1948. Eater has reached out for more information.
Wood-fired pizzas are heating up in Corona
Tauro Wood Fired Pizza, a food spot informally operating since the pandemic, now has a cart where it makes fresh, wood-fired pizzas to order. The cart is run by Daniel Tauro, a native of Puebla, Mexico, who started working in pizzerias when he moved to NYC during the aughts. A representative for the Street Vendor Project stated that Tauro is operating at 110 Street and 37th Avenue in Corona, Queens. In addition to pizza, the menu lists calzones and pasta. Hours of operation are from 5 to 11 p.m. every day, except Mondays, according to Google. Eater has reached out to Tauro for more information.
Halal Thai food heads for Astoria
On Friday, February, 3, Nur Thai will be opening its doors at 31-01 34th Avenue, at 31st Street. It’s the second outpost for the Amani Group’s popular Rego Park restaurant of the same name, and an opportunity for the team to build out even more high-end creativity into its halal Thai menu alongside a robust craft nonalcoholic program. The entirely new food and beverage offering includes coconut cream udon and smoky pineapple mocktails. Chef and partner Bunprasit “Tony” Kunarux was the former executive chef of the now-closed Samui in Brooklyn. — Caroline Shin, contributor
Free bagels and lox coming to Bryant Park
Lox experts Acme and Queens favorite Utopia Bagels are teaming up to pass out free food in Bryant Park next week. Sandwiches will be stuffed with nova smoked salmon, cream cheese, tomato, onions, cucumbers, and capers. It’s all going down from 8 a.m. until they run out on Thursday, February 9, at the corner of 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue.


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Michael Goldstein, Chair of Finance Department, Babson College
"Market regulations were not written for trading at the speed of light."
Washington - The Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations yesterday questioned industry figures about best execution in today's environment of rebate structures and payments for order flow. Chaired by Senator Carl Levin, the hearing took aim at the maker-taker model and its impact on investor confidence in US stock markets.
Initial testimony was provided by Robert Battalio, professor of finance at Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame. His team's research into rebate structures suggests that incentives created by maker-taker fees affects the way orders are routed.
"The conflict of interest associated with make take fee schedules arises from the fact that most brokers don't pass fees and rebates through directly to their customers but instead charge fixed commission rates that reflect fees, rebates and other costs of doing business," he said.
Battalio's testimony was supported by Brad Katsuyama, president and CEO of IEX, prominently featured in Michael Lewis' book Flash Boys.
"Due to the complex fee and rebate structure of trading venues, brokers have perverse incentives when deciding where and how to route customer trades," he said. "Many high quality studies, including the one from Professor Battalio, have demonstrated the relationship between a broker attempting to harvest rebates and worse execution quality for their customers.
"Based on our team's prior experience, we can confirm these findings."
Both Katsuyama and Battalio stopped short of recommending that the maker-taker model be abolished straight out, instead recommending standardised, mandated disclosures and at most, a pilot study to assess impacts on market structure. Canadian securities regulators are currently looking at running a pilot of this nature.
NYSE Group president Thomas Farley said that maker-taker pricing should be eliminated. "There are many examples of participants who are buying and selling at the exact same price, at the exact same time, on different venues in part to capture maker-taker rebates."
Farley also pointed out that in a period of rising stock prices, there has not been a corresponding rise in participation in the equities markets, which is at a 16-year low in percentage terms for US citizens.
BATS Global Markets CEO Joe Ratterman disagreed with a ban on maker-taker, pushing instead for greater transparency and disclosure in broker routing practices at both retail and institutional levels.
"Our exchange is in the business of matching buyers and sellers…when we have a trade we are going to deserve revenue for that trade," he said.
"As it happens, how we do that, there is today a significant amount of flexibility and I believe that flexibility has allowed for innovation in pricing (and) markets and that incrementally the rebates that are offered in many cases to market makers to take the risk to put bids and offers in the market has yielded tighter spreads over time."
However, he was not opposed to considering data coming out of any future pilot programme.
Also on the panel, Vanguard Group's principal and head of Global Equity Index, Joseph Brennan, said that the firm is in favour of looking at maker-taker as part of a comprehensive review of US regulations and market structure, as well as pilot testing any changes.
Steven Quirk, senior vice president of Trader Group at TD Ameritrade, defended the firm's routing practices, saying that interests of clients come first, and only after determining best execution are rebates and payment for order flow taken into consideration in making decisions. But he was pressed on the level to which TD Ameritrade ends up on the profitable side of the maker-taker model.
During the testimony, it emerged that in disclosures for the fourth quarter of 2012, TD Ameritrade directed all non-marketable customer orders to one venue, Direct Edge. Among all the exchanges, Direct Edge paid the highest rebate during that quarter. In the first quarter of 2014, TD Ameritrade routed all disclosed non-marketable orders to either Direct Edge or Lava Flow.
Quirk's estimate for how much was made in 2013 from fees based on payment for order flow is in the order of $80 million, while how much the firm paid out in taker fees "would not be significant".
Speaking to Automated Trader, co-founder of Themis Trading Sal Arnuk said that TD Ameritrade is hardly the only broker with this practice. "There are some very real conflicts of interest in the market place, specifically regarding broker routing, and while this senate hearing dealt with the world of retail the conflict of interest in institutional routing is far greater."
He added that there are other business models in the same space that do not thrive on the maker-taker model or have that conflict of interest. "To say that the business model can only work with payment for order flow is faulty."
Some commentators have been taking aiming at the way maker and taker designations are assigned by exchanges. Sal Arnuk added his voice to those observations. "There is an art form in the plumbing in being the maker as opposed to being the taker, without a doubt…There is an entire industry intent on gaming and making sure that (they are) getting the rebates."
Senate scrutiny comes at a time when a number of class action and other law suits are being brought against exchanges in the US, claiming unfair advantages being granted to high speed traders.
Michael Goldstein, chair of the Finance Department at Babson College, said that it is unclear what impact these lawsuits will have but he does expect it to bring about action - whether through changes in regulations or business practices.
Market regulations were not written for trading at the speed of light and in some sense, these lawsuits are coming down to: what are the fair rules of the game?
"A lot of our regulations (pre-date) the idea that the exchanges (are) publicly traded entities that have shareholders. It should be their right to profit maximise but they also have a public trust aspect to them," he said.
HFT, he added, seems to be at a stage where people are becoming more aware of industry practices.
"High frequency traders are not charities. Do we as society feel that the way they are making money has enough net benefit that we want to continue to support (HFT) through regulation or not?" he said. "Law suits are a way that America ex-post settles up."
The hearing also looked into establishing primacy of displayed quotes on regulated markets, high speed data feeds and colocation, among other issues.


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After the “As The Crow Flies” event, which was in it Hunt: confrontation Crytek broke its peak record for concurrent players, today (25) announced that new content will soon arrive in the game. A new map will be included in the future update, being one of the most wanted new features by the community, as well as a new event that will provide players with an opportunity to unlock new rewards.
Players will get a preview of the new map and new content in the Dark Sight trailer, which also features several Easter eggs for those who want to pay attention to every detail.
The news is part of a schedule with game updates being made, including quality-of-life improvements, performance and stability improvements, as well as matchmaking improvements to deliver more balanced matches for new and veteran players. Hunt: confrontation It has grown steadily since its launch and now includes 30 legendary hunters, over 90 legendary weapons, over 35 gadgets and consumables, and over 80 weapons. Regular release of DLCs keeps pace with the growth of the community, which recently crossed the 100,000-member-only mark on the Discord server. At the “As The Crow Flies” event, the arrival of the new president, Scrapbeak, was announced.
“Our reaction to the As The Crow Flies event has been exceptional,” said Fatih Özberme, chief producer of As The Crow Flies. Hunt: confrontation. Building on this success, we are excited to announce that a new event is coming to the game soon, as well as a new map that will provide hunters with new challenges and enemies. In addition to creating new content, we are always looking forward to how we can improve every aspect of the game to serve our friendly and welcoming community, Which keeps growing after every new update There has never been a better time to play Chase from now on. “
Hunt: confrontation Available in Brazil for personal computers only. In other regions, the game can also be played on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
“Coffee trailblazer. Social media ninja. Unapologetic web guru. Friendly music fan. Alcohol fanatic.”


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Ascent Protein, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leprino Foods, Denver, said it launched Recovery Water, a water-based beverage that pairs high-quality protein with electrolytes to help athletes optimally recover post-workout. Made using Ascent's proprietary native whey protein formulation process, it combines both form and function to deliver muscle recovery and hydration.
Ascent said Recovery Water contains 20 grams of fast-digesting native whey protein and 2.5 grams of naturally occurring leucine to trigger muscle protein synthesis. It has 100 calories and zero artificial ingredients. Recovery Water is gluten-free, soy-free and made from whey produced without the artificial growth hormones rBST or rBGH. Ascent also is Informed Choice Certified, meaning the company’s product lines are third-party tested for banned substances.
"This is a big day for our Ascent family across the country," said Paul Vraciu, general manager of Ascent Protein. "Recovery Water represents the most transformative and innovative addition to [our] lineup in our brand's history."
Ascent said Recovery Water was created to support athletes in the crucial recovery time after a workout. Recent research findings suggest that workout recovery is just as important as the time spent in the gym. According to the American Council on Exercise, recovery from exercise and competition is a vital component of the overall exercise training paradigm and "paramount for high-level performance and continued improvement."
The full line of Ascent products helps athletes optimize their performance before, during and after workouts, with clean protein. While Ascent Recovery Water is meant for post-workout, it pairs with Ascent Pre-Workout, which boosts energy and hydration levels prior to a workout, the company said.


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Artificial intelligence or AI has become a technology that is projected to change the world that we see now. Already there are systems with intuitive technology and robots that can deliver food. In this article at CIO, Alex Bates narrates a future that you will experience after AI has changed everything.
AI and the Vision of the Future
Several companies are striving to crack the AI code. It seems like everyone is ready to explore on their own futurist journey. So, how will the future look like when AI goes mainstream? Let’s have a look.
Defining the Normal: You will see more people on street conversing with Google Assistant or Siri than their fellow human beings. The intuitiveness of AI will be further explored. So, you might be riding to your destination in a self-driven Uber flying car without typing a word. Facial recognition technology and biometrics can resolve the problem of carrying your wallet everywhere. Guess what, AI will even enable thought-sharing. Leveraging that feature, you can simply share thoughts with your loved ones or robots without troubling your voice box. Just like Avatar.
The Proliferation of Virtual Assistants: Spike Jonze’s movie Her narrates how the main character, who is a human, falls in love with a virtual assistant. Like that, the virtual assistants in your smartphone might one day become your colleague or co-founder. The popularity of these AI bots is because they do not judge. Also, they ease your life by personalizing your options. Maybe, in the future, they will fulfill the need of an understanding partner too.
Ethical Much? AI is incrementally becoming more sophisticated. It might soon prevent us from slogging dead hours at work away from our family. While the AI robots do the existing work, humans will be set free to explore more creative avenues. Since there will be no deadlines or targets to meet, better work-life balance will permeate the work ecosystem.
To view the original article in full, visit the following link: https://www.cio.com/article/3410296/life-after-artificial-intelligence.html


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Spotify says ‘Mabuhay’ to Filipino music lovers
MANILA, Philippines – Following launches in Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore last year, music streaming service Spotify expands its reach in Asia with its Philippine launch on Tuesday, April 8.
The service allows users to discover and listen to music for free on their computers and mobile devices. Premium subscribers get to download and keep the music on their offline for as long as they remain subscribers.
With more than 6 million paid accounts and 24 million users worldwide, Spotify has become one of the most popular names in the digital music streaming industry. It is currently available for download on PCs as a standalone program, and on mobile devices as an app. The service also includes social features such as sharing of playlists and ‘following’ friends and celebrities.
Spotify launched in Sweden in 2008 and expanded to the United States in 2011.
In the Philippines, users are given access to a library of over 30 million songs including local hits. Upgrading to a Spotify Premium account costs P129, cheaper than premium subscription rates in most countries. In the US a premium account costs $9.99. The premium version offers ad-free usage on mobile and desktop and offline usage.
Meanwhile, Globe subscribers can get Spotify Premium with the new GoSURF postpaid plans. GoSURF 299 provides 700MB of data plus 30 days of premium access, while GoSURF 999 increases the allowance to 5GB. For prepaid Globe subscribers, a non-premium version of Spotify will be offered via GoSURF 10, which provides 10MB for one day starting April 13.
Using Spotify won’t count towards data consumption of GoSURF subscribers, according to Globe.
“This is our promise to music lovers in the Philippines: We’re just about to offer you the best free music experience ever. In the end of last year, we made quite a significant change in the business,” said Sunita Kaur, Spotify’s Director for Asia. — Rappler.com
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However, reader support powers our of content. Help us keep you updated by joining Rappler PLUS.
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By Eli Greenblat
ONE of the highest-ranked executives at United States retailing giant Costco has accused domestic heavyweights Woolworths and Coles of attempting to slow its expansion in Australia by fighting new developments at every opportunity.
But Costco chief financial officer and executive vice-president Richard Galanti has warned he will up the pressure on the duo, firing back from Costco's Washington State headquarters that Australia could sustain a ''huge'' ramp-up in stores with more than 10 Costco warehouses in a short period of time an achievable goal.
Costco, the third-largest retailer in the US and the ninth biggest in the world, at present has one supermarket, electronics and furniture store in Melbourne's Docklands and is constructing its second Australian store in Auburn, Sydney.
Mr Galanti told predominantly US analysts he was fighting a running battle with Woolworths and Coles as Costco sought to enter and quickly expand in Australia, one of the group's newest markets.
''You know, in Australia the percentage increase [in store numbers] will be huge, because we have one unit and our competitors, the two biggest retailers out there, we feel are fighting us at every juncture to slow down the process, but we will get a second unit open in Sydney - first in the Sydney area this coming calendar year, and certainly we will open more there,'' Mr Galanti said.
But Coles and Woolworths rejected the claims, describing them as ''baseless''.
Securing sites for new supermarkets has been tough for market entrants such as Costco and German discount supermarket chain Aldi. Planning and zoning laws and the dominance of Woolworths and Coles often impede their ability to increase store numbers.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's 2008 inquiry into the food and grocery sector highlighted in particular this problem for new supermarket players.
''Concerns were … raised that planning and zoning laws act as a barrier to the establishment of new supermarkets,'' the ACCC report said.
''Independent supermarkets were particularly concerned with impediments to new developments given the difficulties they have in obtaining access to existing sites.
''The ACCC also received specific and credible evidence of incumbent supermarkets using planning objection processes to deter new entry in circumstances where the incumbent supermarket had no legitimate planning concerns.''
Since the inquiry, Aldi has built up its Australian network to more than 230 stores with Costco scouring the market for a new site for its next warehouse.
Mr Galanti said the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, South Korea and Taiwan, was ripe for a rollout of its supermarket warehouse model where member shoppers can buy goods such as food, meat, household products, clothes and electronics in bulk.
''If you go back three or four years ago, that 10-years-hence number was 15 for each country. I think our feeling now is 25-plus. Who knows where the actual number will be, but certainly we feel more confident.''
Costco, which has yearly sales of nearly $US80 billion a year, is believed to have at least 75,000 paid-up members in Australia.


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Another Wall Street analyst has lost confidence in Apple Inc (Nasdaq: AAPL) stock. Guggenheim is the latest of a handful of analysts to downgrade Apple stock in recent weeks over concerns about slumping iPhone sales.…
Another Wall Street analyst has lost confidence in Apple Inc (Nasdaq: AAPL) stock. Guggenheim is the latest of a handful of analysts to downgrade Apple stock in recent weeks over concerns about slumping iPhone sales.
On Wednesday, Guggenheim analyst Robert Cihra lowered his rating for AAPL stock from “buy” to “neutral” and said rising iPhone average sales prices (ASP) are no longer a good enough reason to buy the stock.
“Over the past 10 years, Apple’s iPhone ASP has increased a dramatic plus $220, or 40 percent, reflecting its growing value to both consumer and business markets, but nearly half of all that just came in FY18 alone, making a period of digestion now likely,” Cihra says.
The average price of an iPhone increased by about 17 percent in fiscal 2018.
Cihra says early indications from Apple suppliers suggest iPhone unit sales will drop significantly in fiscal 2019.
“We now estimate iPhone units (down) 5 percent year over year in FY19 versus flat year-over-year in FY18, but unlike last year, do not see ASP increases providing enough offset, with our forecast that blended iPhone ASPs increase only 3 percent year-over-year,” he says.
A 3 percent increase in ASPs combined with a 5 percent drop in unit sales will result in a 3 percent overall decline in iPhone revenue for Apple in fiscal 2019, he says.
Based on its latest estimates, Guggenheim has lowered its fiscal 2019 earnings per share forecast from $13.41 to $12.97. It has also dropped its revenue forecast by 2.8 percent from $281 billion to $273 billion.
Guggenheim is the third high-profile firm to downgrade AAPL stock this month following Bank of America and Rosenblatt Securities. Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan says Apple’s stock is still a solid value, but its earnings multiple could compress given stagnant iPhone revenue growth.


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A Chatsworth toy manufacturer is suing an insurance company for breach of contract, alleging the defendant wrongfully denied them coverage for their costs in defending a countersuit brought by 42-year-old rapper Clifford “T.I.” Harris and his wife, singer Tameka “Tiny” Harris, in a dispute over the parties’ lines of toy dolls.
MGA Entertainment Inc. and its founder and CEO, Isaac Larian, brought the suit Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court against Atlantic Specialty Insurance Co., seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
An Atlantic Specialty representative could not be immediately reached for comment.
MGA is a leading designer, developer, marketer and distributor of children’s toys, with products that have frequently been recognized at the annual Toy Industry Awards, the suit states. The company’s L.O.L. Surprise! products have consistently been among the best-selling toys in the United States since 2017, according to the suit.
The L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. brand was an instant success and won the Toy Association’s Fashion Doll of the Year award in 2020, the suit states.
MGA obtained a policy from Atlantic Specialty that was in effect throughout 2021 that included promises to pay for losses and to defend against claims involving actual or alleged errors, omissions, misstatements, misleading statements or breaches of duty by MGA, its executives or its employees, the suit states.
MGA received a cease-and-desist letter in December 2020, alleging that its L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. product line infringed on intellectual property rights owned by the Harrises and OMG Girlz LLC, the company formed by Tiny Harris in 2009, the suit states. Tiny Harris, 47, is a member of the multi-platinum girl group Xscape.
MGA filed a federal lawsuit seeking a declaratory judgment that its products were not infringing on the Harris’ intellectual property rights, but the Harrises countersued MGA and Larian, accusing both of plagiarizing their dolls’ aesthetic and likeness, according to the current suit.
However, when MGA and Larian submitted a claim with Atlantic Specialty to pay for their defense costs, the insurer determined that coverage would not be provided because the claimed involved alleged infringement of intellectual property rights, the suit states.
MGA and Larian have incurred considerable legal costs by having to pay for their defense in the Harris countersuit as well as in bringing the complaint against Atlantic Specialty, the suit states.


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Although disruptions remain for the global fitness industry, promising data and trends keep us hopeful for the future According to a study conducted by IHRSA as part of the Physical Activity Council, more than one out of five Americans (21.8%) belonged to a health club or studio in 2021, totaling 66.5 million consumers ages 6 years and older. This represents a 3.8% growth over the last two years, a validation of the importance of our industry.
The 2022 IHRSA Global Report reflects on all that the global health and fitness industry has been through these past two years and how it's building a brighter, more unified, and active future. The report is divided into four parts:
• The "Industry Overview" section highlights relevant news from the past year, along with insights from industry experts and leading club operators as the industry begins to normalize, as well as a special tribute to the late John Holsinger.
• The "Research" section underlines the global fitness industry's major economic contributions with a first-of-its-kind advocacy report produced by Deloitte, how clubs are bouncing back from the pandemic, and the performance of publicly traded fitness companies.
• The "Company Profiles" section highlights leading health club companies from around the world.
• The "Partner Profiles" section features innovative fitness industry suppliers whose products and services help club operators serve their members and communities.


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Emma Williams to judge BIMA100
We are delighted that Performance Director Emma Williams has been chosen to join the panel of judges for this year’s BIMA100.
Every year, BIMA celebrate 100 of the people who are leading the industry right now, highlighting the leaders, pioneers, entrepreneurs and changemakers. BIMA 100 seeks to recognise the individuals who are shaping the future of Britain’s digital industry.
Good luck to all the entrants!
Photo credit: BIMA


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As the online privacy debate keeps Web marketers in the spotlight, legislators busy and consumers fearful, traditional list marketers claim there has been little impact on offline direct mailers due to key differences in consumer reaction and industry practices.
“I don't see any effect on offline direct mail currently, but that doesn't mean that it won't happen,” said Howard Kupfer, executive vice president at Mokrynski & Associates Inc., Hackensack, NJ.
Many direct marketers agreed that the main factors that will determine whether their privacy practices come under fire are consumer perceptions and actions.
Consumers believe Internet marketing poses a much greater threat to the safety of their personal information than offline channels, said Herb Torgersen, vice president of management services, Response Media Products Inc., Atlanta.
At least one privacy advocate favors legislation that would apply to both online and offline information practices, though legislators may not agree.
“There's a widespread consensus in Washington that some Internet privacy legislation is inevitable within the next year, and a lot of effort has been made to contain it from spilling over into the envelope world,” said Jason Catlett, president of Junkbusters Corp., Green Brook, NJ.
Some offline marketers said the consumer focus on the Internet would help them avoid inclusion in such legislation.
“The government reacts to consumer attitudes and complaints, and if the privacy issues are focused on the Internet, the government will stick to the issues at hand,” said Richard Baumer, president of VentureDirect Worldwide, New York.
Catlett said consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about their privacy offline.
“The expectation of consumers has moved from an opt-out model to an opt-in model,” he said.
While Web marketers have started making attempts at creating industry standards and promoting self-regulation, offline direct marketers have been policing themselves for years with the help of the Direct Marketing Association, said Kupfer. Through the use of the DMA Mail Preference Service, and the marketers' own mailing suppression lists, he believes consumers have adequate means to opt out of unwanted mailings.
However, Catlett stated that nonmembers of the DMA are not bound by the MPS, making it somewhat ineffective.
However, he added, “In the catalog world, if an effective opt-out were available, I think an opt-out basis would be acceptable.”
Other hot-button privacy issues such as online tracking and profiling do not translate offline, Kupfer said.
Although offline marketers keep transactional information when their customers make purchases, cookie technology gives online marketers the ability to collect much more personal information and link it with other information, Torgersen said.
Offline direct marketers agreed that the differences between online and offline direct marketing are too significant to be looked at in the same way.
“I think privacy concerns about traditional direct marketing need to be addressed separately from Internet concerns,” Baumer said.


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The "camera hole" appears to replace the more traditional notch in the future, but we still do not know what the concept will actually look like personal. At least we do not have until today: Sparrow News seems to have gotten hands on real life (if some potato) pictures and video of Lenovo Z5S, which has such a circular. And it looks quite snazzy.
With Huawei (and potentially Samsung) considering cutting-edge camera clips in upcoming phones, odds are at least one phone in the near future, coming to sport one. So even though our enthusiasm for Lenovo's phone is weak ̵
I do not really think the new water drops / towers are too visually offensive (although Pixel 3 XL's big five-headed is still too much for me), but if you had any bad aesthetic rebellion at the concept, I think the circular section should be more comfortable. The video makes it seem that it's not enough to hide inside the notification board as if it were almost just a black edition icon, with just a little piece of padding to accommodate its height – and the padding does not even look like it's necessary.
It is certainly a noticeable feature, but there is so little display on display, even the discerning should be forgiven. At least until we find a way to hide the camera under the screen.
If you are actually interested in Lenovo Z5S as a phone by itself, Sparrow News also blocked a handful of specifications (probably via MySmartPrice) based on Chinese MIIT (Ministry of Commerce and Information Technology) filing information. It will have a 6.3 "18: 9 screen with unspecified resolution, 3210mAh battery and a fingerprint sensor on the more traditional backside. It will also have three rear facing cameras in addition to the front facing device that is located in Other technical details like SoC's indefinite, although it may have the upcoming Snapdragon 8150.


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A new co-op game from the dev team behind Friday the 13th and Predator games.Continue reading “🕹Ghostbuster: Spirits Unleashed”
New GTA in production……FINALLY!Continue reading “Rockstar Finally confirm new GTA!”
So, hands up. Who likes Star Wars? Continue reading “New Star Wars Battlefront live action trailer released”
With the recent serious First Person Shooters that are available or up and coming – the likes of Halo 5 and Star Wars Battlefront – it is refreshing to see a new Shooter that offers so much more freedom to play style and in game roles.
Further information below!
The 2015 Golden Joystick awards took place yesterday in London and as per ‘the norm’ were full of the big names in gaming lined up to take their place among the gaming giants.


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Kenya Airways, the pride of Africa, and Uganda’s leading Mobile Money service provider, MTN Uganda have partnered to launch a service that allows customers to pay for Kenya Airways tickets using MTN Mobile Money. This additional payment option is part of the airline’s efforts to embrace technology and the convenience and improved customer experiences that come with it.
Speaking at the launch, the airlines Head of Information Systems Development, Mr. Henry Obare said that the MTN Mobile Money Payment option has registered success in the sale of Kenya Airways tickets through Mobile Money services in Kenya. He expressed optimism that the Uganda market will enjoy the ease and convenience that comes with the use of this service.
Mr.Obare explained that the airline has been at the forefront in embracing advancements within the mobile and ICT sector to enhance the customer experience.
“We not only focus on offering an excellent in-flight experience for our customers but also on making the entire end-to-end journey (right from the purchase of the tickets to the handling at destination airports) pleasant,” said Mr. Obare.
On his part, MTN Uganda Chief Marketing Officer Ernst Fonternel welcomed the partnership with Kenya Airways adding that they are a new addition to a number of other stakeholders who have partnered with MTN Mobile Money to deliver convenience to over 8 million customers on the MTN network.
Fonternel said since the launch of the service five years back, MTN Mobile Money has enjoyed unprecedented success, registering in excess of 25million transactions each month with more than 4.5 million customers active on Mobile Money.
“As per the GSMA 2012 Global Mobile Money adoption survey, MTN Uganda ranks 2nd in the world in the of number of active Mobile Money customer accounts. Today, as we launch this partnership with Kenya Airways, I’m hopeful that the Airline’s customers will find MTN Mobile Money an easy, convenient, safe and secure service,” Mr. Fonternel said.
With the new option to pay with Mobile Money, Kenya Airways customers will visit the Airline’s website or call its offices to make a reservation and obtain a reference number and flight quotation in Uganda Shillings. The customer will thereafter go to their phone’s Mobile Money menu, and select Pay Bill option, enter short code KQ, then the reference number and the amount to be paid for the air ticket. The transaction details will be displayed on the customers’ phone instantly. And the airline will email the air ticket back to the customer. The ticket may also be collected at any of Kenya Airways offices worldwide.
Kenya Airways operates 5 daily flights between Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport and its hub in Nairobi, and serves over 45 African destinations, having launched its 61st destination to Blantyre in Malawi this month.
About Kenya Airways
Kenya Airways, a member of the Sky Team Alliance, is a leading African airline flying to over 59 destinations worldwide, 40 of which are in Africa and carries over three million passengers annually. It continues to modernize its fleet with its 41 aircraft fleet being one of the most modern in Africa. The on-board service is renowned and the lie-flat business class seat on the wide-body aircraft is consistently voted among the world’s top 10. In 2010, it scooped top awards at the Africa Investor (Ai) Tourism Investor Awards and was declared the Business Airline of the Year in Africa. Kenya Airways takes pride for being at the fore front of connecting Africa to the world and the World to Africa through its hub Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
About MTN Uganda
Launched in 1998, MTN Uganda is the leading communications operator in Uganda, offering Mobile and Fixed telecommunications, Mobile Money Services and Internet Service Provisioning. As of 30 June 2013, MTN Uganda recorded 8 million subscribers across Uganda. Visit us at www.mtn.co.ug and for our football fans www.mtnfootball.com. Customers can also follow us on www.youtube.com/mtnug and www.twitter.com/mtnugandacare
About the MTN Group
Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a leading emerging market operator, connecting subscribers in 22 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: “MTN.” As of 30 June 2013, MTN recorded 201.5 million subscribers across 22 countries. Visit us at www.mtn.com ,www.mtnbusiness.com , www.mtnmmo.com and for our football fans www.mtnfootball.com.


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Here’s Why Nintendo Switch Flash Carts Have Used Game Collectors Panicking
The issue with flash carts lies with both versions of the game being online at the same time. Previously, this wasn’t possible, as pirates primarily focused on developing the tech for older consoles. And if they managed to create one for the current generation, it was either unusable online or companies like Nintendo would quickly patch them. However, the MIG-Switch has bypassed these hurdles, and the used games industry could suffer the most.
The MIG-Switch is the latest, state-of-the-art flash cart for the Nintendo Switch. Unlike its predecessors, it doesn’t rely on software to function, requiring users to physically eject and reinsert it to switch between the games stored on the cartridge. Since it isn’t using software, it’s essentially invulnerable to patches from Nintendo. MIG-Switch also claims its product is entirely usable online, setting a new precedent for flash carts, video game piracy, and used games.
Given that the MIG-Switch will be available to everyone once it launches, it isn’t difficult to see how this could go wrong quickly if it delivers on all its promises. Despite the company’s intentions, people will inevitably purchase the tech to copy and resell games. And once the two identical IDs appear online simultaneously, Nintendo will ban both users. The pirate, who likely has numerous Switches or accounts, won’t bat an eye, while the innocent person did nothing but try to save some money on a video game.


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Citizens want Budget to help bring down prices
As retail inflation and inflationary expectations remain high, common people want the finance minister to focus on bringing down prices of essential commodities more than anything else when he presents the budget, a survey showed on Saturday.
The poll conducted by market researcher Ipsos India showed nearly 75% respondents wanted the budget to bring down prices of essential commodities, followed by demands to raise the income tax exemption limit to Rs3 lakh from Rs2.5 lakh and a higher levy on tobacco products.
Ipsos surveyed 1,047 people across seven major Indian cities.
Consumer price inflation — a measure of rise in prices of a basket of goods dominated by food items and fuel — is expected to stay in the range of 4.5-5% in the coming fiscal, the economic survey released on Thursday said. This is despite oil prices having declined 9.21% and manufacturing goods going 1.17% cheaper from a year ago, according to data released in the second week of February.
Food inflation was primarily driven by rising prices of pulses, the main source of protein for millions of Indians, which shot up 44.91% in January reaching a fiveyear high in some parts of India.
CONTINUED ON P11


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India’s leading eyewear retailer reveals a contemporary new avatar
1 March 2016: Titan Eyeplus, India’s leading eyewear retail brand, that has been setting benchmarks in the category for innovation, design and retail experience, is re-defining standards once again.
Titan Eyeplus unveiled a new brand logo that has a minimalistic and contemporary look, reflecting a youthful persona of the brand. The brand has also launched a new retail identity that aims to rejuvenate one’s experience of retail in the eyewwear category. The new identity reflects the movement of the category from a functional requirement to a fashion accessory with exciting lifestyle cues.
Speaking at the Launch Mr.Ronnie Talati-CEO,Eyewear division, Titan Company Ltd said, “ as a leader in the eyewear category, at Titan Eyeplus wew are constantly striving to ensure we stay ahead of the curve. We are focused on innovating and experimenting in order to make eyewear a more desirable product category and to keep offering our customers a new experience. Our new identity reflects the evolving changes in their lifestyle requirements that will allow people to play with their looks”.
The new identity is designed by Mr.Michael FoleyFounder, Foley Designs, who had earlier made his mark with stunning, contemporary designs that gave Titan company Ltd (erstwhile Titan Industries Ltd) an aesthetic makeover. Speaking of the thought behind the new design he said, “ It has been exciting to be a part of this journey that Titan Eyeplus has embarked upon. The new identity will revolutionize the way consumers experience retail in the eyewear category.”
The New stores showcase a wide range of spectacles from house brands such as Titan,Enigma and Adreno for men and women, and sunglasses from Titan Glares and Fastrack. The Dash range of products caters to kids requirements as well.


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Owen WilliamsFormer TNW employee
Owen was a reporter for TNW based in Amsterdam, now a full-time freelance writer and consultant helping technology companies make their word Owen was a reporter for TNW based in Amsterdam, now a full-time freelance writer and consultant helping technology companies make their words friendlier. In his spare time he codes, writes newsletters and cycles around the city.
It’s been well over 24 hours since police raided a server room in Stockholm and The Pirate Bay, along with other torrent sites went quiet.
The last time the torrenting site went offline for this long was back in 2012, when government officials raided another server location. This time, things are different.
Peter Sunde, co-founder of The Pirate Bay said that it’s no longer the institution of technology it once was and has been reduced to forcing more and more seedy ads on its users instead of pushing the site forward.
Sunde noted that “The Pirate Bay has been raided, again. That happened over 8 years ago last time. That time, a lot of people went out to protest and rally in the streets. Today few seem to care. And I’m one of them.” He thinks it should stay that way.
The company touted itself as the “galaxy’s most resilient BitTorrent site” and recently bragged that its setup meant raiding a single location meant it wouldn’t be able to take it offline. That obviously wasn’t quite the truth.
With many of the original founders in prison, moved on to other projects or simply indifferent, it’s unclear if the site’s current management will be able to get it back online. The Swedish Rights Alliance has claimed responsibility for the police raid, which appears to have been made on the world’s “safest” datacenter.
A number of media outlets have reported that the site appears to have come back online on new domains like thepiratebay.cr, but these sites are simply cached versions of the dead service.
Others with similar domains (for example, thepiratebay.ee) are even taking advantage of the outages to demand money from users for torrents or selling merchandise to unsuspecting punters.
Be wary of new domain names that claim to be The Pirate Bay before they’re confirmed to be real; there are a number already trying to use the company’s absence and prominence to scam people out of money.
Right now, it looks like the real Pirate Bay could be gone for an extended amount of time, however there’s always the chance it could be resurrected again by someone else in the future, just like before.
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This is an intriguing article announcing the opening of a Cigar Factory in Sumas, WA. It would be interesting to find out if this business venture was successful. Soon afterward, the depression struck our country and impacted many business. Whether or not the cigar factory survived is not known.
Sumas News, Sept 20, 1929
Look for another posting tomorrow as I have much to share about Sumas history.


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Baroo chef opens Shiku at Grand Central Market, Q sushi returns and more news
Shiku at Grand Central Market
Anyone lucky enough to try Kwang Uh’s creamy pink noorook at Baroo, the much-lauded, profoundly innovative Korean restaurant he opened in a Hollywood strip mall in 2015, will be relieved to know the chef is back. After closing Baroo in 2018, then opening and closing Baroon Canteen pop-up in 2019, fans anxiously awaited Uh’s return. He and his wife and partner Mina Park have opened a Korean restaurant called Shiku at Grand Central Market. The couple have already started selling a selection of banchan, including kimchi, mu namul, chili chamchi and shredded potato and fish cakes as well as pantry items such as gochujang and seasoned soy sauce. On Friday, the full menu of doshirak and family meals will be available for pickup and delivery.
317 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, shikulosangeles.com
Hiroyuki Naruke has resurrected his Michelin starred omakase restaurant Q downtown. The chef, known for the intimate dinners he orchestrated behind the sushi bar at his tiny wood-paneled restaurant, is now offering takeout. He’s preparing an omakase sushi box for two ($400) that includes around 20 pieces of nigiri and sashimi per person, made with rice seasoned with red vinegar and sea salt and a variety of fish preparations, including aged. The menu will vary based on what’s available at the market. Orders are available through Tock for pickup Thursdays to Saturdays.
521 W. 7th St., Los Angeles, qsushila.com
Korean fine-dining pop-up
There’s a new Korean fine-dining pop-up called Naemo operating out of Rancho Park. Executive chef Ki Kim, who previously cooked at Matsuhisa, and operations manager Arnold Byun, who has worked at Atomix and Eleven Madison Park, are behind the new venture. The two are offering a meal for two ($75) that includes farmers market rice (mixed grains, ikura, turnip, lotus roots and nori), soup (deonjang, shiitake mushroom and shrimp dashi), four cold items (yellowtail hwe, acorn jelly salad, mushroom namul with uni and eggplant twigim with chili) and four hot items (Wagyu japchae, grilled leeks, shrimp and squash jeon and Mary’s chicken mandoo) that will change seasonally. Stephanie Breijo, who first reported the story for Time Out, has more details here. And you can order through Tock for pickup Wednesdays to Saturdays.
2435 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, naemo.la
OC Restaurant Week
The Orange County Restaurant Assn. is encouraging diners to skip cooking and order takeout to support local restaurants during OC Restaurant Week. The event will take place March 7 to 13 and include special menus and cocktails for takeout.
Oste, a new Italian restaurant in Beverly Grove, is scheduled to open tomorrow in the former Little Next Door space. Oste specializes in pinsa, a Roman-style flatbread that features a light, cloudlike dough. Chef Alessandro Iacobelli is making his pinsa with a blend of rice, soy and wheat flours. It’s just pinsa and wine for now, but Iacobelli plans to expand the menu with fresh pasta and larger entrees once dine-in restrictions are lifted.
8142 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, (323)413-2372, ostelosangeles.com
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With what you might consider as the company returning to their roots, Asus Philippines today announced the upcoming ZenFone Go. With a price point similar to the successful ZenFone 5, this just might be the equivalent device this year for the entry-level bracket. Running Android 5.1.1 Lollipop on a new Quad-Core MediaTek 6580 processor which we haven’t seen before, the Go will be priced at PHP 5,995 and should arrive “soon,” as Asus suggests. Anyway, specs are below!
Anyway, are you as curious as we are on how well that new MediaTek 6580 processor is going to perform? Is it an upgrade or a downgrade to the popular MT6582 of previous devices? Find out in the next episode of Dragonball!
Alex likes doges and wowes. Much bio.
Only registered users can comment.


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Call it Uber for snowplowing: A new smartphone app made available in Anchorage this week promises to arrange, estimate and take payment for snowplowing.
Customers use an iPhone or Android app to request a plow and estimate the cost for the job, and they are charged only after the job has been completed by a local plow truck -- a picture is sent to each customer to confirm the job's completion. The app automatically charges the fees to a credit card.
Plowz & Mowz was created by a pair of New York state residents, Wills Mahoney and Andrew Englander.
"I got the idea because we had a pretty big snowstorm in Syracuse (in 2012), and my mom need a snowplow because she couldn't get out of her driveway," Mahoney said. "I tried calling snowplow companies, but no one would pick up their phone."
During snowstorms, plow companies are concentrating on plowing. Mahoney said their phone lines are often so busy during a big dump of snow that it is impossible to get ahold of them. Plowz & Mowz solves that problem, Mahoney said, and even makes it easier for snowplow companies to efficiently clear the way because they can simply take orders for work within the same neighborhoods where they are already working, saving time and money and keeping the plows busy.
The Plowz & Mowz app went live in Anchorage, its 30th city, on Tuesday, and it now has more than 30 available Anchorage-area snowplow providers, according to Mahoney. The app automatically selects the nearest plow truck and, unlike Uber, currently locked in a stalemate with municipal officials and the local taxi industry, Plowz & Mowz is being embraced by some Anchorage-area plow and landscaping companies because of its simplicity and its potential for bringing in customers. It also handles all the payments and charges.
"With them taking care of the customers, it gives us more time to focus on actually plowing and not having to track down payments," said Andrew Jones, whose company, 907 Plow Kingz, is participating in the Plowz & Mowz launch in Anchorage.
Mahoney claims, and Jones confirmed, that Plowz & Mowz providers are required to have a minimum of $500,000 in liability insurance, although most have as much as $1 million in coverage. Mahoney said his company prefers to work with established providers.
"That's really important because you don't want to have someone that is not very experienced with a big heavy plow on their truck," Mahoney said. "We go on the Better Business Bureau and other rating websites to check drivers."
Mahoney said that, as with Uber, plowers are rated after each job. If a Plowz & Mowz driver gets consistently poor ratings, he or she will be kicked off the service.
Also, Mahoney said, his company keeps a call center open 24 hours per day throughout the year to help customers with questions or problems. The app also schedules lawn maintenance during the summer. And Anchorage, according to the app's creators, is a fertile market, both summer and winter.
"We started doing some advertising on social media in Anchorage, and we got a ton of signups," Mahoney said.
Contact Sean Doogan at email@example.com.
Alaska Dispatch Publishing


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The lights are on
The person responsible for Bungie's music for over a decade has been let go from the studio.
Following an extremely challenging fiscal year, Sony is divesting of one of Japan's biggest publishers.
The digital version is already out, and now the disc-based edition of the game on PS3 is coming soon.
Call of Duty gets its first custom voiceover pack.
Respawn has laid out its plans for post-launch support beyond the map pack DLC.


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NEW YORK -- Retailers have long known that today's hot chef or restaurant offering very often becomes tomorrow's supermarket darling.
In anticipation of the National Restaurant Association's annual Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago, SN interviewed several chefs from all over the country to get a jump on the next "big" item.
Food writer and cookbook author Mark Bittman, who has also given cooking demonstrations at supermarket chains, is delighted that supermarkets now carry "fresh herbs all the time."
"It makes my life easier to have herbs like cilantro, lemon grass, savory, dill and mint available all year-round," he said, noting the availability of either fresh-bunched or packaged formats. "There's a huge difference between fresh and dried, and the ease of preparing fresh herbs is unsurpassed. You just put them into your food. "
Recently, the Connecticut resident was scheduled to make three appearances at Wegmans Food Markets in Allentown, Pa., Bridgewater, N.J. and Princeton, N.J., to prepare the traditional Tuscan dish of sauteed sausages with grapes that appears in his cookbook, "How to Cook Everything: Simple Recipes for Great Food" (Macmillan, 1998). For these type of demos, Bittman likes to choose dishes that are "really easy," requiring two or three ingredients only.
The traditional Italian cuisine Bittman will profile has also inspired Amy Scherber, founder and owner of "Amy's Bread" in New York City. Scherber, a nominee in this year's James Beard Foundation Awards in the pastry chef category, has created a new line of "crusty, very rustic Italian" artisanal organic breads.
"New York had always been a dinner roll kind of town," she said, citing the surge of new restaurant openings and the public's exposure to European "bread culture" as factors turning the tide in favor of her new, hearty loaves.
Scherber wanted to make more organic products not only for herself but also for her customers. In the process of opening her third retail outlet in Manhattan, Scherber also sells her loaves in the city's Zabar's and several D'Agostino Supermarkets. She is a big fan of letting consumers sample what bread is really about.
"Customers should see and smell bread," she said.
Chef Wylie Dufresne, the executive chef at 71 Clinton Fresh Food in New York City's burgeoning Lower East Side, has been cooking with "nuts in many forms" to expand his personal culinary repertoire.
"Nuts add texture and flavor," he said. Dufresne uses walnuts, almonds, pistachios and hazelnuts in such dishes as black cumin consomme with pistachio and pistachio oil, sea bass with cauliflower and almond puree, and desserts such as apricot crumble with pine nut ice cream.
A big fan of fresh produce, he's out shopping at the city's Union Square Greenmarket four days a week, where he "likes to find out what they have and work around it."
Greg Higgins, owner and executive chef of Higgins in Portland, Ore., and another nominee for this year's Beard awards in the best chef, Northwest/Hawaii category, also believes in supporting local produce and uses his restaurant's open kitchen to share information about his latest finds.
After they eat, diners often ask him about a particular vegetable. "They say, 'I never had golden beets,' and then ask where they can buy them."
At Chez Panisse in Berkeley, Calif., the acclaimed restaurant founded by iconic chef Alice Waters and celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the emphasis is still on "market cuisine." Gilbert Pilgram, one of six chefs who run the establishment, says the latest trend is "whatever's fresh and delicious this week, because next week it's something else.
"It's about creating your menu around what's available, rather than the other way around," he said, adding that the same approach works for consumers, too.
Ideally, supermarkets would have a special corner in the produce department featuring the "buyer's special" -- the finest, premium-priced item available from distributors that week that occupies the place of prominence.


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Saturday, February 13, 2010
China Thinks Obama is Google
China is asking Obama not to meet with the Dalai Lama as it will strain realtions between our countries. How about they stop selling us poison toys and pet food to ease the strain in relations? The lack of murder might be a relaxing step in this process.


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NEW DELHI: Residential and commercial complexes will have to allot 20% of their parking space for electric vehicle charging facilities, while eateries will have to reserve space for kiosks as per the new guidelines of the housing and urban development ministry.
The department of town and country planning under the ministry has issued guidelines to provide for electric vehicle charging infrastructure through addendum to Model Building Bye-Laws, 2016 and Urban and Regional Development Plan Formulation and Implementation Guidelines, 2014. The guidelines on charging infrastructure mandate provisions in various buildings.
“Based on the occupancy pattern and the total parking provisions in the premises of the various building types, charging infrastructures shall be provided only for electric vehicles, which is currently assumed to be 20% of all ‘vehicle holding capacity’ at the premise. Additionally, the building premises have to have an additional power load, equivalent to power of all the charging points operated simultaneously,” the guidelines said.
For residential and institutional buildings, they recommend that the metering and payment be linked with the house owner’s monthly maintenance bills with metered units credited to their smart card that is plugged during charging. The buildings should provide open metering and onspot payment options for visitors. “Charging bays shall be planned currently at 20% capacity of all vehicles including two-wheelers and cars,” the guidelines said.
They also provide for enhanced power load for each such building type by the power distribution company. "Connectivity regulations and safety norms will be the key for implementation of electric vehicle charging infrastructures both at individual and public premises,” said Alekhya Datta, fellow and area convenor, electricity and fuels division, TERI.
The power ministry last month issued guidelines for charging infrastructure under which it has asked public charging stations to install both Japanese and European charging platforms. The guidelines specify technical parameters for slow and fast varieties of CCS, CHAdeMO and Bharat platforms. CHAdeMO is a charging platform used by Japanese car makers like Suzuki and Toyota, while Combined Charging System (CCS) is promoted by 15 out of 20 major OEMs across the globe.
The guidelines require one charging station to be set up every three km in cities and every 25 km on both sides of highways. The tariff for supply of electricity to electric vehicle public charging station shall not be more than the average cost of supply plus 15%, the guidelines said. States will fix ceiling on service charges of the public charging stations. The power ministry early last year issued a notification clarifying that setting up charging stations for electric vehicles will not require a separate licence under the Electricity Act of 2003.
German luxury carmaker Mercedes Benz, which has recently launched its second electric offering EQS 580 sedan for India, said that while the electric car is manufactured in Germany, India is the only country to locally assemble the EV outside of the home country. With this, Mercedes will also be the first and only luxury carmaker to assemble an EV in the country, thereby giving it an edge over its rivals in terms of pricing.
According to a complaint filed by Vivek Gupta, the Chief Financial Officer of JBM Group, Sector 44, it was on Friday that he received messages on WhatsApp requesting to transfer certain sums to bank accounts indicated in the messages.


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by BERNAMA / pic by MUHD AMIN NAHARUL
THE announcement on the discovery of vaccine for COVID-19, which has brought relief to everyone in the world, including in Malaysia, is said to be a major factor for the sharp drop in the price of gold lately.
Gold Investment consultant Syukor Hashim said the price of gold went up by 37 per cent from early January until August and it used to exceed RM300 a gramme, but the price dropped again to RM256 per gramme currently.
“The price of gold went up due to the threat of COVID-19 which has affected the world economy and the people are afraid to spend, which indirectly causes investors to choose gold as a safe asset.
“However, when news on the discovery of COVID-19 vaccine spread, it has to some extent, reduced the risk of the COVID-19 threat with economists and investors thinking the world economy will recover.
‘’Therefore, in this situation, gold is seen to have lost its attraction as a safe asset,” he said when contacted by Bernama, here, today.
The media had reported that people are flocking to jewellery shops to take the opportunity of the drop in the price of gold to buy the jewellery as investment, and in their eagerness, many forgot about the standard operating procedures and the new norms to avoid the spread of COVID-19 when making purchases at the shops.
Asked when the gold price will go up again, n the price of gold was expected to end, Syukor said he could not predict it as the gold price is influenced by current news.
“For example, the power transfer in the United States between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, if there is a ‘drama’ between them, the price of gold can go up again, likewise on the news about Iran claiming that its nuclear scientist was killed by Israel.
“In other words, the rise in gold price is not only due to COVID-19, but many other factors, and for this year, it is the pandemic,” he said.
Meanwhile, a survey by Bernama at several jewellery shops here found that there were fewer customers today that during the weekend.
A gold trader at the Keramat Urban Transformation Centre (UTC), Munirah Aqilah Mohd Zahari told this Bernama reporter that last weekend was a very busy day for her as the number of customers at the shop doubled from normal days.
‘’Generally, the public took advantage of the low gold price to exchange their old jewellery while some wanted to order new ones as investments and accessories to be worn.
“Despite the large number of customers, they are still required to observe the SOP, such as physical distancing and to scan their body temperature, as well as register their names, before entering the shop,” she said.
Another trader, Nik Ahmad Tarmizi Nik Hassan said many buyers took advantage to buy jewellery using their savings even though the price of gold was expensive at the beginning of the implementation of the moratorium.
“Many customers came using the money for their car or house loan to buy jewellery as a long-term investment,” he said.


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Delhi Police(DP) Has Publish head constable admit card 2012 online. this latest notification for the post of head constable recruitment about 2622 vacancy male and female .
NOTE- This Admit card if valid for physical endurance and measurement test to be held in March month
Delhi police head constable admit card available online at delhi police mail official website.
So guys just follow this website and get your admit card


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Brazilian exhibition Design na Pele has confirmed it will take part in the International Shoes & Leather Exhibition - Vietnam from 13-15 July.
Design na Pele has promoted exclusive consultancies with designer Ronaldo Fraga and artist Heloísa Crocco in 12 Brazilian tanneries, an initiative promoted by the Brazilian Leather project, and coordinated by CICB (the Centre for the Brazilian Tanning Industry) in partnership with Apex-Brasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency).
From the workshops conducted by Ronaldo and Heloisa, unique leather articles including chairs, clothes, lamps, panels and shoes were created in bovine and special leatherwere to make up the exhibition.
This is Design na Pele's second edition. Initiated in 2013, the project has been celebrated across Brazil and the world as one of the most successful initiatives regarding design, culture and art within the leather segment.


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Work is underway at Peet’s Coffee & Tea, which has claimed the space formerly occupied by Confetti Party Headquarters.
Peet’s refers all media inquiries to a San Francisco public-relations firm, which didn’t call back by press time. But a quick peek at the Peet’s Web site showed it perkily announcing that the shop is scheduled to open this fall. They’re taking applications for an assistant manager, retail sales and barista positions, and shift leaders.
The company, which was founded in Berkeley in 1966, has coffee shops in California, Portland, Ore., Seattle, Boston and Chicago. They roast the coffee at a plant in Emeryville.
The Galley, a kitchen supply and gift store on Country Drive (off Park Avenue) in Chico, already sells Peet’s coffee beans, whole or fresh-ground. Manager Janine Ross said it’s a big seller. They get new beans in twice a week, and it’s the freshness and roasting process that sets Peet’s apart from, say, Starbucks, Ross said. “It’s the best you can get,” she said. “Once you drink it you don’t want to go back.”
Ross also said that Peet’s is pleasant to work with and doesn’t seem corporate at all. “It’s a small company.”
A Colorado-based company has sold Ceres Plaza Apartments, a 194-unit complex on East Lassen Avenue in Chico, to a group of investors.
Investment specialist Jas Bains of Marcus and Millichap, the nation’s largest real estate investment brokerage company, said he got together with Chicoan Ken Detweiler and a couple of Detweiler’s relatives to form Ceres Plaza Apartments LLC and make the purchase. Hill Companies LLC sold the 18-year-old complex for $10,754,755.
“I like the Chico market. It’s a nice, stable market,” said the Sacramento-based Bains, who kind of “stumbled across” the opportunity.
The apartments house a few college students but mostly working adults, along with a few families and senior citizens. Bains said they don’t plan big changes to the complex, which is 100 percent occupied, with rents ranging from $498 for a studio to $725 for a two-bedroom. RSC will still manage the property. “It’s kind of a turnkey operation,” Bains said. “[But] we’re going to be doing things continuously to improve.”
Debuting this week to your right is a new feature for Everybody’s Business, the Out & About column. We wanted to give readers something still newsy and local but a little more punchy and succinct. In Out & About you’ll see us do the research on things like how much worker’s comp pays if you lose a finger, or why the Department of Motor Vehicles office in Chico doesn’t have a public restroom. We may throw a few unexpected questions at a willing local business owner or run down a rumor (Trader Joe’s, anyone?). The topics may be light or serious—something different every week.
If you have an idea for Out & About—maybe you’ve always wondered why something business-related is the way it is in Chico—drop me an e-mail. I’d also love to hear from citizens willing to share their monthly budget, anyone who owns a franchise, companies that require drug tests and any businessman you know of who has a really cool moustache. Enough hints! Keep reading.


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After the clocked wound down in Thursday night’s playoff-esque battle between the San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James embraced Tim Duncan. Amateur lip reading made it seem like Duncan ended their little fete under the basket with “I appreciate that.”
It was clear LeBron was expressing his admiration for the five-time champion. But James went a step further after the game, posting an Instagram message where LeBron called the Big Fundamental the “Greatest PF to ever play this game.”
LeBron’s personal tribute translated to the special selection of his shoes too. James laced up a brand new version of the Nike LeBron 13, which implements a true Spurs colorway… a look that is very rare for The King. It’s possible it’s just another method of expressing his appreciation.


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$FAST said its 1Q16 gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, fell versus 1Q15, mainly due to product and customer mix. Operating and administrative expenses were unchanged versus 1Q15. Income tax, as a percentage of earnings before income tax, was about 36.8% for 1Q16.
$GOOG’s Waymo accuses Uber of stealing its intellectual property. Startup Otto, which was recently acquired by Uber, also named in the lawsuit. Stage set for another dramatic legal battle!
We all knew $VALE CEO Murilo Ferreira was going out soon, but now I hear he has no idea who will succeed him!
$JCP, another traditional retailer that just shocked us with its biggest number of store closures.


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Indian SMEs have now realised the need of robotics equipment in manufacturing. There has been an increase in the number of entrepreneurs adopting robotics techniques.
Indian SMEs have now realised the need of robotics equipment in manufacturing. There has been an increase in the number of entrepreneurs adopting robotics techniques.Not only big players, small robotics start-ups and companies are also targeting the SME sector in India.
According to the International Federation of Robotics, in 2011, robotics’ sales in India were 1,547 units and are expected to reach about 4,000 units a year until 2015. The main applications of robots in India are welding, handling and dispensing. Hence, it is likely that more than 70 per cent of the robot sales ended up in the automotive industry. The Indian logistics, e-commerce and manufacturing industries have too joined the fray on using robotics.
Hyderabad-based Jay Robotix Pvt Ltd, Ahmedabad-based Gridbots Technologies and many other robotics companies have focused on the SME segment of the Indian industry for selling their robots.
As per the Industrial robotics marker research report, the global market for industrial robotics is estimated to be $ 25.71 billion in 2012 and expected to reach $ 32.8 billion in 2017 at a CAGR of 5 per cent from 2012 to 2017. The Indian robotics industry is approximately $750 million and is expected to double over the next three-four years.
Indian industry has now started accepting industrial robots for increasing production and improving quality and in areas where the process is humanly challenging like handling of hazardous or heavy material.
SME Segment: New Market for Robotics
Earlier the large companies like Maruti and Hero took the help of robotics but robotics companies have now targeted the SME sector of India. The new market for selling of robotics has emerged because the prices at which these are offered are also very low compared to the products offered by international players. These robotics arms and equipment can easily be introduced by SME companies.
Sudhir Reddy, Managing Director, Jay Robotix Pvt Ltd, says, “The products by the international players are much costlier. We offer the same quality at a much lower price to fit the pocket of Indian SMEs. We have received good response from SMEs so far.”
While researching on the Indian industrial market, the robotics companies felt that is the high time for them to enter the SME sector and introduce the low-cost robotics and small equipment in order to compete with the international players.
“We knew that there are only big international companies that sell robotics in the SME sector. We decided that now we should help SMEs in India through robotics,” says, Vijata Khandelwal, Co-Founder, Gridbots Technologies Pvt Ltd.
Several Problems, Single Solution
Robotics not only reduces the cost of production, but also prove to be time saving for SMEs. The robotics work for more time as compared to labour, and thus it increases the productivity of the company.
“In FMCG industries, sorting and packaging the products in masses with minimal wastage in operation time is the prime focus. Robotics will directly increase the productivity with the same infrastructure setup and in-turn will reduce the cost of the product,” says Reddy.
Robotics have now made it easy for entrepreneur in their business as most of the entrepreneurs are facing the problem of scarcity of labour in their business and it results into a decline in production. In May and June, entrepreneurs usually face the problem of scarcity of labour due to warm temperature but robots have been the best thing that helped them to get rid of this problem.
“The manpower problem is the biggest problem that entrepreneur face these days. Robotics work for more hours as compared to the human work and it also improves the quality of the product,” says Khandelwal.
Sai Surface Coatings, a company specialised in Zinc Nickel Electroplating, is using robotics technology of RoboRuka and has found it extremely versatile and durable, requiring low maintenance. The multiple applications include robotic assembly, robotic coating, plasma cutting and welding.
Meka Nageshwara Rao, CEO, Sai Surface Coating Technologies, says, “Because of serious scarcity of skilled manpower, there was non-consistent welding operations. After using RoboRuka, we achieved a consistent welding sequence working 24x7 and also the machining iteration cost and time has drastically come down. This has tremendously improved production and has contributed immensely to the savings component. “
TI Cycles, a cycle and cycle parts making company of Murugappa group, suffered acute shortage of welders in May and June every year. In April 2010, TI Cycles started using industrial robotics. The labour worked for two shifts only there, but robots were used in three shifts. Also, one robot did the job of many welders with greater efficiency.
Traditionally, companies feel robotics are costly to use, as it requires high maintenance and are not affordable to small scale industries in India. As opposed to this, these companies have designed extremely cost effective and ideal for SMEs in India.
“The concept of introducing small industrial robotics was called with the basic motive of cost efficiency. We sought up robotics in a wide range from small to big sizes and less cost, “says Khandelwal.
While Sudhir says, “Our product has been completely made keeping in mind the cost factor for SMEs. It is not only cheap for SMEs, but also has very less maintenance cost in a year.”
The Indian robotics industry is expected to grow at a larger rate as SMEs have started adopting robotics equipment in the business. It not only solves the problem of labour shortage but also helps in improving the quality of production


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Tycoon Tchenguiz faces further pain
Tycoon Robert Tchenguiz, whose fortune has been severely eroded by a string of bad investments, is bracing himself for fresh misery.
More misery: Tycoon Robert Tchenguiz
His Globe pub chain is dangerously close to breaching key banking agreements as it struggles to cover the interest payments on £254m of bank debts and £250m in bonds.
The group of 424 tenanted pubs is jointly owned by Scottish & Newcastle, which has a 30-year contract to operate them.
Publicans have been hit hard by the smoking ban, increased taxes and cash-strapped consumers opting to stay at home with cheap supermarket booze rather spend time down the local.
Globe's situation has been exacerbated by friction between the two owners over how the group is run.
Hostilities and trading have become so bad that an independent consultant, thought to be Citigroup, has been drafted in to perform an emergency review of the business.
One City source claimed that the nub of the problem lies with S&N, which is owned by Heineken.
He claims the brewer is only interested in pushing its own beers through the chain, which is a turn-off for customers who demand a full choice of lagers and bitters.
'S&N's priority is to try to sell its beer through the pubs,' said the source. 'The question is whether this impacts on sales. If people want choice and they can't find Carlsberg for instance, then they are likely to choose other pubs.'
The extent of Globe's financial problems was revealed in its latest financial update. In figures for the three months to November the pub chain revealed underlying beer sales had dropped 8%.
This prompted a 20% fall in operating profits to £5.3m - to a point where they only barely cover interest payments. The firm said that 'in the testing market conditions currently being experienced, the directors are working closely with Scottish & Newcastle to maximise profitability of the estate'.
Small pubs of the type owned by Globe have been the worst affected in the downturn. Globe is not alone in finding life a struggle. Larger rivals Punch and Mitchells & Butlers have both been grappling with huge debts racked up making acquisitions at the top of the market.
For Tchenguiz, meanwhile, Globe's troubles are the latest in a series of serious financial blows that have seen the value of some of his investments decimated. In March his Laurel Pub chain fell into administration, then he sustained heavy losses in Mitchells & Butlers and Sainsbury when he was forced to offload his investments.
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The current health crisis is forcing another retailer to close most of its doors. According to a press release, The Children’s Place is targeting to close 300 locations by 2021. The good news for you? A huge summer sale is happening right now — more on that later.
Like many brick-and-mortar stores, the kid’s clothing retailer (which is part of the Gymboree family) has been hit hard by COVID-19 with net sales down about 38% in the first quarter this year. As a result, it’s shutting more retail stores and focusing on its online storefronts. However, some stores will remain, but the press release states that they will only make up less than a quarter of the retailer’s revenue portfolio in their fiscal 2022 year.
You’ve probably been mostly shopping online, even pre-pandemic, so it really shouldn’t change much in your shopping habits really. While it’s certainly sad news with so many stores and restaurants closing during the pandemic, the plus side is that The Children’s Place is offering a massive sale right now with up to 80-percent off summer-ready styles, so it’s time to get that credit card out ASAP.
To no surprise, the current health crisis has taken a toll on many retailers, so it’s expected that we’ll see more and more of these sales happening in the future. To get you started on your shopping haul, we’ve rounded up some cute picks — many under $5! —to get your little one dressed for summer for a fraction of the cost. We don’t know how long these deals will last, so don’t hesitate to add some fun finds to your cart.
Mix and Match Skort
Built-in shorts underneath? Yes, please.
Jellyfish Tank Top
There are a ton of tanks on sale, and at this price, they’re basically free. Don’t wait to stock up on this summer must-have style.
Unicorn Fleece Pajamas
Sweet dreams are guaranteed with this magical one piece.
Get them road-trip ready with this fun backpack.
Tropical Button Down Shirt
The Hawaiian shirt is back and better than ever.
And while you’re at it, stock up on some cute children’s face masks that your kids will actually want to wear.
Source: Read Full Article


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Brawlhalla Cinematic Launch Trailer
Brawlhalla is officially launching on October 17, 2017! Get ready to dunk on PS4 and on PC!
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Food Safety Magazine published an interesting study on food recalls. The publication tallied recalls from 2015 data from three different agencies—the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS), and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The results produced some interesting and disturbing insights.
According to the report, the good citizens of Canada and the US experienced 629 food recalls in 2015. One third of the total recalls was due to common, repeat allergens - wheat, eggs, peanuts and dairy. Other allergens included soy, sulfites and various types of tree nuts—almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews and pistachios. Milk was one of the most undeclared food allergens.
Microbiological contamination was equally disturbing. In May 2015, evidence of Clostridium botulinum, a potentially lethal neurotoxin that paralyzes muscles was discovered in canned seafood. At the time, the recall was blamed on an unnamed pathogen. Fast-forward five months and 14 more canned seafood products were recalled between October 9 and November 10 -- primarily of cans of albacore tuna and salmon.
In July 2015 saw the merger of Kraft Foods Group and H.J. Heinz Company. The new company, Kraft Heinz Company had an abysmal food safety record. Barbecue sauce, Oscar Mayer turkey bacon and even their iconic Kraft slices were all subject to recall.
Even bottled water wasn't exempt. In June of that year, Niagara Bottling LLC recalled bottled water because Escherichia coli may have been present due to exposure to human or animal waste at two Pennsylvania plants. The recall affected over 14 different brands.
Contamination of fresh produce can occur at several stages across the production chain, including harvesting from the field or orchard, transporting, processing, distribution or marketing at the grocery store. The report cites seven apple recalls. All but one was due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Other recalls included Dole recalling bagged spinach in 13 states due to salmonella bacteria and in April, prepared foods that were sold at a number of major retailers, including Target and Costco were recalled because the products contained spinach potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Most cases of product recalls or food contamination incidents have fairly identifiable causes. Sometimes a product gets into the wrong package, or something gets left out of a label or the label is misrepresenting a fact. That was the case with a General Mills recall. The corporation recalled two of their most popular cereals — original Cheerios and Honey Nut Cheerios. The boxes were labeled as “gluten-free” but breakfast foods contained wheat.
Sometimes, it’s a mystery how the contamination occurred. Food companies in question often respond before the full scope of the contamination can be traced in order to keep exposure and bad press to a minimum. In the beginning of June 2016, General Mills issued a voluntary recall of 10 MILLION pounds of flour because of a suspected health threat risk although there was no clear evidence of cross-contamination. In that same time frame, a century-old Tennessee company, Grain Craft, announced “the intermittent presence of peanuts” in their soft red winter wheat. The FDA tested the Grain Craft mill in question and found no peanut protein, meaning the contamination happened after harvest and processing.
Grain Craft is among the largest independent flour millers in the United States. They don't sell to the public, they sell to the food processors, so the potential for numerous popular brands and food types to be affected by the cross-contamination is very real. On June 3, 2016 the first commercial food processor pulled their products that used Grain Craft's flour, Hostess recalled over 700,000 products containing the suspect flour after receiving two adverse events involving children with peanut allergies who suffered immediate allergic reactions after consuming Hostess donut products. Further testing on other shipments of flour from the same supplier as well as finished products revealed low level peanut residues. Kellogg and Pepsi Co also issued a massive recall of products that use Grain Craft flour. Grain Craft has recalled the affected flour.
On the same day of the General Mills recall, Kashi, owned by Kellogg, announced a major recall of one variety each of its granola and granola bars The bars in question contained ingredients made from sunflower kernels potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytongenes bacteria. The recall was part of an expanded recall by multi national SunOpta Corp which specializes in organic, non-genetically modified foods.
Whether the contamination occurs in the field, or on the factory floor, clearly, there is a lot of room for improvement on behalf of both the food industry and our regulators. An estimated 35 million people suffer from serious food allergies in North America and Europe. One out of six people will get sick from contaminated food every year - that's simply unacceptable.
As a conscious consumer, be aware that Intercontinental shipping of animal and food products exposes an inherent flaw in the industrial food sector. The business model enables the spread of food borne disease in a relatively short amount of time. To make a change, start by supporting local and regional farmers. Choose fresh regional produce instead of produce commonly sold in large grocery chains where much of the produce is imported. If you eat meat, choose regionally raised, organic, grass-fed/pasture-raised beef, poultry and dairy. And be aware that while some grocery stores carry organic foods, many items are imported.


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Abby Terhark, advertising sales assistant for the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, was named a member of the 2016 Class of Destination Marketing Association International’s ‘30 Under 30’ program.
The nominating committee received 95 submissions for the 2016 experience, the largest response since the program’s inception in 2011. This year’s honorees originate from a variety of destinations and backgrounds, from national tourism bureaus such as Brand USA and the Bermuda Tourism Authority to local convention and visitors Bureaus. The 2016 Class will convene for the first time at DMAI’s annual convention and will be recognized August 1 immediately following the opening keynote.
Since the program’s inception in 2011, the Springfield CVB has had three staff members recognized with this honor.